Violence is never good even if someone else has initiated or provoked contact. The best way for women to stay safe is to take preventive precautions and minimize the chances of any dangerous incident from occurring.

It’s how you see yourself.
Be confident. It’s an unfortunate fact that some people have “victim” written all over them. This is not to say that they’re to be blamed for being attacked, but rather, their lack of confidence makes attackers deem them as the easier target. If you have a problem with your self-esteem, you might want to remedy that fact first and before enrolling in any self-defense class.

Avoid traveling alone.
Attackers can be anywhere at any time of the day. It’s best to have someone with you even if you’re simply walking to the grocery a block away from your home or climbing down a flight of stairs to the parking lot. Although your desire for independence and self-reliance is appreciated, don’t cut your nose to spite your face. Attackers have stronger chances of getting to you when you’re alone so travel in company as often as you can.

Take note of “peak hours”.
Attackers prefer to make a move when there’s less likely to be people around. These “peak hours” generally take place in the wee hours of the morning and when people are probably at home sleeping and not alert enough to respond quickly to calls for help.

Be cautious about where you’re going.
Don’t venture to places that are too dark for you to assess potential threats in your surrounding. If a place is unfamiliar, don’t take unnecessary chances and make sure you only take well-traveled paths where it’s easy for you to be seen or heard if anything happens.

Secure your environment.
Bad things don’t just happen outside. They can also happen at home or in your workplace. Don’t wait for something to happen. Take pre-emptive action by securing your environment. You can start by developing safety habits like double-checking that all doors and windows are locked at night. If you can have a burglar alarm system installed, so much the better!

Listen to your gut instincts.
Lastly, do stay alert and pay attention to your surroundings. If your guts are warning you about a particular place or person, do as your instincts bid you. Even if there’s no apparent threat and retreating makes you feel silly, there’s no harm in taking extra precautions, is there?

image credits to gabemac

I was at home last night watching a particularly boring game of football between the Steelers and the Ravens when I decided to get on the computer and check out the news. Yes, the game was that uneventful at least till the end. Anyway, a story caught my attention about a father who killed a man who broke into his home.

The bad guy broke in through a window and went straight for the daughter’s room who screamed and woke the father. This bad guy was not a normal burglar. He was a registered sex offender. When the father got to his daughter’s room, he found this 52 year old man naked except for a mask, knife, rope and condoms. Clearly not there to steal the family silverware.

Luckily, the father was able to wrestle the ol fart down to the ground and put him in a head lock. Must have been a boa constrictor headlock cause when the cops got there, the man was dead.

I say justice served and good riddance! He got exactly what he deserved and no one will have to worry about their daughter getting raped because of this piece of you know what.

You know, that story had a good ending even though the family is justifiably shaken up. But one thing just really bothers me about the official statement from the authorities. The police say they don’t ANTICIPATE any charges being brought against the father.

Not clear cut, just that they don’t “anticipate” any charges.
Maybe I’m just reading it wrong but there shouldn’t be any question that the father is completely in the right about any action he took against this home invader. Just think of the consequences if Dad was overpowered by this scum. Probably killed with the knife and who knows what to the daughter.

A nice big can of pepper spray to the face would have stopped the attack with less violence but with today’s judges, he could be back on the street in no time planning his next break-in.

WildFire Pepper Spray

In any case, it’s always a good idea to be prepared. Keeping self defense tools around the house that are easily accessible could help you fend off a bad guy too.

Pepper Spray, especially the extremely hot Wildfire 18%, would make anyone change their plans whatever they were planning to do. One blast of pepper spray and this guy would have been running down the street trying to put out the fire on his face. And with the vegetable dye staining his face, police would have no problem identifying him.

Anyway, great job Dad! You saved your family and took a bad guy off the street.

Be safe!

And yes, the video is forthcoming!

I was in Florida this weekend for a great conference for those of us in the self defense biz. Met a lot of great people and had a wonderful time.

One of the demonstrations was an electrifying spectacle of what the taser actually does. It was mesmerizing seeing the effect with the lights turned low, having the new Taser C2 shoot into the target. It lit up the entire upper body area with high voltage sparkage.

Then came the call to volunteer to be Tased!
I don’t know what I was thinking but I had to give it a go.

The police sergeant hooked up the probes to two spots on the back of my shirt and let ‘er rip!

I immediately and involuntarily tensed every muscle in my body and endured what seemed like an eternity of intense pain.

And there was nothing I could do about it. I couldn’t move a muscle.

If there is any doubt in your mind about the effectiveness of a Taser C2, I can assure you that you can put that thought to rest. For Good!

You see, the Taser C2 is an Electronic Control Device which when fired, shoots two probes into an assailant and sticks there because of the barbs. Similar to a fishing hook.

Then, 50,000 volts of high lithium powered electricity is pumped into the body of the unlucky, wished he were dead, perp.

The best part of this is that it can be fired from a distance so you don’t have to be up close and personal with your attacker.

The absolute best non-lethal self defense weapon available!

Taser C2

My experience being subjected to those two small probes of pain was video taped and I will be putting the video up on the web for all to see when it becomes available. Production guy said 2-3 weeks and it’ll be ready.

Although I experienced it firsthand, I’m curious to see how it looked from the outside also. I’ll let you know when it’s up.

Be safe!

Steve Thibeault

A new self-defense weapon has entered the market and though it’s naturally more expensive than other weapons, it’s also more effective and able to further increase your chances of protecting yourself against attacks.

It’s The Same Formula
Pepper gel contains the same formula used for pepper sprays and foams. Its main offensive ingredient is Oleoresin Capsicum (OC), a compound taken from cayenne pepper. The effectiveness of pepper compounds as a self-defense “weapon” is measured in Scoville Heat Units or SHU. A habanero pepper has 300,000 SHU. A jalapeno pepper merely has 5,000. Pepper sprays and gels, however, have approximately 2,000,000 SHU.

It’s The Same Procedure
Pepper gels are just as easy to use as its predecessors. Pepper gels come in flip-off bottles. The lids are necessary for preventing accidental spraying. It’s important to keep it concealed but easily accessible. This could be inside your pocket or snapped on to your jeans under your shirt.

If you’re under attack, all you have to do is flip off the lid, aim for the eyes or face, and squirt away!

It’s The Same Effects
One spray of pepper gel will cause your attacker to experience shortness of breath. Temporary blindness may follow shortly after or occur concurrently. Last but certainly the least, your attacker will experience pain in the areas affected by the spray. Touching the liquid will only result to even more pain as it can cause a burning sensation on your attacker’s hands.

Better and Longer Lasting
Gel form, however, allows the advantages of this type of self-defense weapon to be more powerful.

Firstly, pepper gels have greater range. While pepper sprays can only work in a range of six to twelve feet between you and your attacker, pepper gels can reach targets located as far as eighteen feet away. Two feet may not seem much at first glance, but when you’re under attack, an additional two feet could give you the precious seconds you need to make a successful escape.

Pepper gels also have greater concentration of OC because of its semi-liquid form, making it even a more powerful self-defense weapon.

Targeting your attacker is also made simpler. Unlike pepper sprays and foams, pepper gels are unlikely to disseminate or lose power before it reaches its target. You’ll find pepper gels easy to use even when your hands are shaking and you’re about to go into full-blown panic.

Lastly, pepper gel, again because of its natural form, stays longer on the attacker’s face and consequently prolonging his agony. Unlike spray or foam, gel can’t be easily wiped away and clings stubbornly to the skin. They’re definitely the ideal self-defense weapon, able to give you the element of surprise “and the upper hand” in practically any fight.

mace pepper gel image

Having a black belt in any martial art might make you sufficiently skilled to defend yourself from various threats, but it doesn’t guarantee your complete safety. A black belt in karate might not get you far if you’re taken by surprise, attacked from behind, or held at gunpoint. Skill in martial arts will always be a big help, but it can even be more effective if you use with other self-defense strategies.

Prevention is the Best Self-Defense.
The best way to stay safe is to avoid any incident that would require you to defend yourself. Why put yourself in a position where you’d have to put your black belt to use if such a situation can be avoided in the first place?

Be Aware of Your Surroundings.
Awareness is a skill that takes time and practice to learn, but it’s a skill that you need to develop as early as possible. Awareness of your surroundings requires you to analyze potential threats and developing contingency plans.

Start with a cursory scan of your surroundings. Know the number and location of all possible exits. Try to commit your surroundings to your memory. Many attackers initiate their offense by plunging their victim into darkness. This smart move, however, can be easily countered if you’re still able to find your way in the dark.

Don’t be complacent. No matter how “safe” a certain place may look like, it would still be better if you search for possible places an attacker might be lurking, biding his time before making an appearance. This doesn’t make you paranoid by any means but rather, you’re simply taking control of the situation and ensuring that you won’t be taken by surprise.

Be alert at all times and don’t take anything for granted. If you’re about to unlock your car and get in, make sure that no one around is close enough to suddenly hold you at knifepoint. At the same time, however, make sure you look inside your car and check if no one has gotten in before you, waiting to launch a surprise attack from the backseat.

Trust your intuition.
Human instincts are generally sharp and it’s best to listen to what your gut feelings tell you. Humans are born with a drive to survive so if something inside you is ringing alarm bells about anyone or anything, listen to the warning because it might save your life!
Having a black belt in martial arts can make a person feel safe – too safe at times. Don’t make that mistake!

martial arts videos image

If you consider your pet an honorary member of your family, consider investing in the safety products below to secure your pet’s well-being and be aware of its whereabouts at all times.

Pet Safety Lights
This safety device can be attached to your pet’s collar, harness, leash, or even his clothes if he’s wearing any. Pet safety lights make it easier for you to locate your pet if he’s wandered afar in the dead of the night. If your pet finds it way in the streets, the safety lights will increase his visibility to passing drivers and minimize its chances of becoming a victim of road kill.

Lights can be switched on and off anytime you want. Remember to keep them fully charged for maximum safety for your pet.

Car Locks
Pets are often left caged inside the car when their owners have to make a stopover on any establishment or premise that do not allow animals in. Such arrangements, however, pose a health risk to your pets as they may suffer from heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or even suffocation.

If you wish for a more comfortable setup for your pet, consider investing in special car locks for pets. These locks are most suitable when you’re traveling in your hatchback or mini-van. All you have to do is attach it to your automobile’s latch and lock the door. This will provide easy ventilation for your door without creating sufficient space for a stranger to sneak in. Neither will you have to worry about finding them broken by strangers as they’re made of stainless steel.

Water Safety Products
Canines may be born swimmers, but they can still drown if they can’t find their way out of the water. This is certainly a danger pet owners must address if they have easily accessible pools in their yards. If you want to keep your pet safe, consider attaching a water alarm to your pet’s collar or leash. It will sound off the moment he enters the pool.

If you’re out boating, consider purchasing a life jacket for your pet dog. These jackets come with safety buckles to keep it securely around your pet body and with adjustable fastenings for a comfortable fit. Some life jackets may even come with web handles to help you retrieve your pet from water manually or using your boat hook. The material used for these jackets are not just water-repellent but also able to provide protection from abrasions and the cold if he finds himself in the water for a long period of time.

pet safety light image

Martial arts may appeal to many boys, but such self-defense skills is not for every child or parent. If you wish to make your child better able to protect himself without learning kicks and punches, consider enrolling them in self-defense classes that teach kids about detecting potentially dangerous situations and how to avoid them.

In Vermont, the Rutland City Police Department has been offering self-defense classes to children ages 3/12 to 12 years old. Their aptly named program, radKids, the shortened term for Resist Aggression Defensively, has been in the offing for a number of years already. The classes are held in the Rutland Recreation and Parks Department. Rutland Regional Medical Center also joins forces with the other departments in promoting the program.

radKids aims to provide children with “stranger danger” education. In class, kids learn about safety skills in personal empowerment. Active police officers lead the class, teaching children the various steps they can take if they feel they are in danger.

Kids also learn how to get away quickly from assailants. It’s made very clear to them that reacting immediately to danger is important and they needed to do what they can to make other people aware of the danger they’re in.

The program’s stranger danger education also includes helping kids recognize tricks that potential assailants may use to gain their trust as well as determine the different between touches that are good, bad, or uncomfortable. Home, school, and car safety tips are also taught.

Last but certainly not the least, the program ensures its young students understand that nobody ever has the right to inflict harm to them.

Parents should also do their best to instill the stranger danger philosophy in their children at home. It is important to impress upon their young minds that danger can come in all shapes and sizes.

In the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) website, an article reported how two women with blonde hair and in their early twenties had tried luring a 9-year-old schoolboy walking home from school with a lift. The boy had not responded. When the two women persisted in following him in their dark-colored four-wheel drive, this prompted the boy to run away. His mom had been able to pick him up at the next street.

In another ABC news article, the police had appealed for public help after an abduction attempt on a 9-year-old girl in Sydney. The girl, who had also been walking home, was approached by a man wearing a balaclava. He attempted to grab her wrist but when she was able to break free, the assailant had jumped into a white van, where another man was waiting on the wheel.

image credits to David Kelly

When you’re under attack, your most prized weapon won’t be your stun gun or your martial art skills. Indeed, what will be able to help you most and get you out of trouble isn’t something you’ve bought or learn but rather, something you have with you all your life: your brain.

Don’t Panic
Panic is arguably your brain’s greatest opponent when you’re under attack. Once panic enters your mind and takes control, you will become unable to protect yourself because panic is making you think that anything you do is futile. If you want to defend yourself against an attack, the first thing you need to do is not to panic and become hysterical.

Stay in Control
It’s alright to be afraid. Fear is a natural reaction and it can even help you become more cautious. It helps you choose between smart and stupid risks. Fear can even prevent dangerous things from happening. Fear commonly acts together with instinct and if your survival instincts are warning you away from something or someone, it’s best to pay attention to them and go the other way.

But fear can also defeat you if, as with panic, you allow it to take over your brain. Fear can render you immobile and make you indecisive at the worst possible moment. If you’re under attack, it’s alright to acknowledge your fear but make sure that you’re able to move and think in spite of it.

Be Flexible
Don’t let ego overpower your common sense. Yes, you have your stun gun with you. Yes, you’re a proud black belter. But if there are options available, options that won’t have to put you in a direct confrontation with your would-be attacker then it’s important to seize such options. Better be safe and silly than sorry and hurt!

Your mind must also be flexible enough to accept what’s happening. Let’s say you’ve taken all the necessary precautions and yet you still find yourself under attack. Accept that and move on. You’ll only put yourself at greater risk denying reality.

Find Out What They Want
It’s important to determine your attacker’s objectives as early as possible. This way, you’ll know if what he’s after is something worth fighting over. Make sure that you don’t make any assumptions as those can get you into further trouble.

Don’t Give Up
Your body obeys your mind and it should never be the other way around. Even if you’re physically hurt, you need to understand that yielding to your attacker will only put you in further pain. Don’t let your brain give up thinking ways to save yourself and you’ll be fine.

image credits to hurleygurley

Having a nifty self-defense weapon in your pocket or handbag can help you gain the upper hand in unexpected attacks. It’s going to be even more effective if you’ve chosen the ideal electronic restraining device for your use.

Static Charge Electronic Restraining Device
Stun batons and stun guns emit static charge when used. They are effective in restraining an attacker without being lethal.

Not all states permit civilians to carry such self-defense weapons with them so do be aware of laws regarding use of stun guns when traveling away from home. Stun guns are more preferable than stun batons because they’re more compact and therefore easier to conceal.

Stun guns can produce a range of voltage. The weakest could release only 80,000 volts while the most powerful stun guns could discharge as high as 625,000 volts on your attacker. Low-voltage stun guns can operate with just one 9-volt battery while higher voltage stun guns may have to use two or three 9-volt batteries.

Upon using a stun gun on your assailant, he will undergo shock for the first second, which could cause him to experience muscle spasms and mental daze. Longer contact would cause even greater mental disorientation and loss of balance.

Even if your assailant were to touch you while you’re using a stun gun on him, you need not be afraid as electrical charges won’t be able to travel from his body to yours.

Phase Induction
Stun guns that discharge electricity through phase induction are slightly more advanced than those using static deployment. As such, this next type of electronic restraining device is more effective, allowing for a more efficient knock-down rate and longer-lasting shock.

Because of phase induction, a stun gun with 300,000 voltage power can discharge electricity that would amount to as much as 400,000 volts. Voltage power for stun guns of this type ranges from 100,000 to 625,000 volts.

T-Wave
This type of electronic restraining device employs the greatest wattage, ranging from 18-26 watts and causing electro-muscular disruption (EMD). A phase induction stun gun only utilizes 7-15 watts while a static charge stun gun uses 9-20 watts.

When a T-wave stun gun is used on an assailant, his entire central nervous system is affected and his skeletal muscles are virtually rendered useless. Besides being immensely powerful, such stun guns can also work in as far as 21 feet in distance. Advanced models can even penetrate thick clothing.

Air cartridges for advanced Taser guns are, however, not reusable, making them the most expensive option, albeit possibly the most effective as well, of all self-defense weapons.

stun baton image

Contrary to popular belief, pepper sprays have been around for a long time. They also come in various forms and kinds, allowing an individual choose the most suitable type of self-defense weapon for his use.

There are basically three kinds of chemical compounds used for making pepper sprays.

Oleoresin Capsicum
It works more as an inflammatory agent than an irritant and your best strategy for using pepper sprays using OC compounds will be to target your attacker’s face. Capillaries in your attacker’s eyes will dilate, forcing the eyelids to close, and resulting to temporary blindness. OC also renders your attacker choking and coughing while causing affected areas to burn and sting.

Orthochlorobenzalmalonitrile (CS) and Alphachloroacotaphenone (CN)
Both these compounds, as opposed to how OC incapacitates attackers, work more as irritants. They target membrane tissues in particular and are also especially effective if you’re able to target your attacker’s eyes. Besides creating a stinging sensation on the affected area, it can also cause a person to feel disoriented and his eyes to tear profusely.

CS and CN are not, however, as instantaneously effective as OC. It will take approximately five seconds to half a minute before it comes into effect and as such, it’s important that you’re well-prepared for a counterattack from your opponent the moment you make use of your pepper spray.

Studies also show that the effects of these two compounds are somewhat lessened when used against people who are intoxicated, psychotic, on drugs, or incapable to feel pain for some reason.

Types of Forms for Pepper Sprays
Not all pepper sprays merely spray out its content. Some pepper sprays release pepper foams. The substance contains 10% pepper. When sprayed on an attacker’s face, his first instinct will be to wipe the foam away and in so doing, he will end up grounding pepper into his face and eyes, which will then create a burning sensation.

A UV marking dye is a self-defense weapon spray that is commonly used together with pepper sprays. When sprayed on an attacker, it will create a distinctive mark that will be invisible to the human eye but visible to UV tools. Such marks are highly helpful in identifying and capturing assailants.

Pepper sprays can also differ according to spray patterns, nozzle types, sizes, and concentrations. A bigger device may have greater content but it’s also more difficult to hide. Spray pattern is also important as some are effective with accurate aim while others work best in close range.

pepper spray image